While everyone else’s eyes are watching the competition on the field, we’re keeping our eyes on the prize for best appetizer. Get a leg up by choosing farm-fresh ingredients like free-range wings, fresh-picked veggies, and handcrafted salsas. We’re sharing our game-day recipes below, but we would love know how you’re incorporating local into your party!
AIR FRYER HOT WINGS
INGREDIENTS
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 2 pounds chicken wings, split at the joint and tips removed
- Kosher salt
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1
Spray the basket of a 3.5-quart air fryer with cooking spray and set aside. Pat the chicken wings dry and sprinkle generously with salt. Place the wings in the fryer basket so they are not touching (if necessary to fit, line up the drumettes standing upright along the sides). Set the air fryer to 360 degrees F and cook for 12 minutes, then flip the wings with tongs and cook for 12 minutes more. Flip the wings again, increase the heat to 390 degrees F and cook until the outsides are extra-crispy, about 6 minutes more.
STEP 2
Meanwhile, warm the butter in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave until melted, about 1 minute. Whisk in the hot sauce.
STEP 3
Toss the wings with the butter mixture to coat in a large bowl and serve with dressing on the side.
BACON WRAPPED PICKLE POPPERS
INGREDIENTS
- 32 ounces dill pickle wholes (standard size, not jumbo)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 10 ounces bacon
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a baking rack and grease with cooking spray. Set aside.
STEP 2
Prepare the pickles by slicing them in half lengthwise. Use the edge of a small spoon to scrape out the center of the pickle, creating a shell. Save the shaved pickle center in a small bowl.
STEP 3
Pat the pickles dry with paper towels.
STEP 4
In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 tablespoon of the reserved pickle.
STEP 5
Fill each pickle with about 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture.
STEP 6
Cut the bacon slices in half lengthwise. Wrap each pickle with half of a piece of bacon.
STEP 7
Line the poppers on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes until the bacon is chewy crisp.
STEP 8
Serve with dill pickle ranch for dipping. To make the ranch, mix 1/2 cup ranch dressing with 1 to 2 tablespoons pickle juice.
BAKED BRIE
INGREDIENTS
- 1 puff pasty (premade or homemade)
- 1 wheel of brie cheese
- 4 tbsp your preferred jam – we used raspberry habanero from MaDears Jelly.
- 1 free range egg
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1
Place brie in the freezer until ready to use.
STEP 2
Preheat oven to 425ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
STEP 3
Roll out puff pastry to the size necessary to cover fully envelop your brie. Place Brie in center.
STEP 4
Spoon jam into the center of Brie. Avoid spreading the jam so it stays centered. Fold dough over Brie and jam, and pinch to enclose it. Flip the dough over, so the seam-side is down. Brush top of dough with melted butter.
STEP 5
Bake for 30 – 40 minutes, or until pastry is browned. Keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t burst!
STEP 6
Let cool slightly, and serve warm.
BAKED GOAT CHEESE DIP
INGREDIENTS
- 10.5 ounces goat cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- toasted french bread slices drizzled with olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
STEP 2
In a bowl, combine the goat cheese, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons of the chopped pecans, honey, olive oil, thyme, lemon zest, and black pepper.
STEP 3
Grease a 1-quart baking dish with olive oil. Spread the goat cheese mixture into the dish. Top with the remaining 1 tablespoon of chopped pecans. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
STEP 4
Garnish with additional chopped thyme and a drizzle of honey, if desired. Serve with toasted bread slices.
NOTES: You can toast your bread slices in the oven alongside the dip. Place the slices on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden and toasted.
